Caged men who write by Miracle Ididi

In his confinement, the caged

man sat at his desk, coupled

with crumpled papers and ink,

for he is a writer, and

he writes of the things he sees

through his shrouded window that

sits across the vast ocean.

The pictures he paints are of the

enormous ships filled with people who are

bestowed the will to still move about.

He captures their laughter with

captivating words.

He tells stories of their dresses, faces,

kisses, glistening shoes, ebony

and ember hair, of their beauty

and the birds that rove above them,

all, behind the walls of his bars.

I am a free man; I tread the earth

with my feet. I go places I please,

meet new faces, and always have

a different story to tell.

On my desk are crumpled papers

and ink. I write.

I write of my past, pain, and this

meager life.

I paint pictures of the things

that haunt me but are yet to devour me.

My sorrow hovers over me like

smoke from a burning flame.

I know what I must do, yet I do

not do what I must.

I know this world itself is a cage, yet

within this cage, I built an invisible

cage that grows smaller with

the passing seasons. I find it hard,

to breathe.

He is a caged man,

but in his confinement, he painted

freedom.

I too, am a caged man,

for in my freedom, I painted bondage.

Miracle Ididi (Myra), is a Nigerian poet and writer. Her work explores psychological and philosophical themes. She is currently studying English and Literature at the University of Benin.